What Is Going on With Dancing With the Stars This Season?

What a long, strange season it has been. Season 21 of Dancing With the Stars has done just fine in the ratings (even beating NBC's The Voice at various points throughout), but the excitement factor of past seasons felt like it's missing. Don't get me wrong—the drama is certainly there with enough life and death scenarios to mimic a soap opera. There have been engagements, pregnancies, health scares, rule books, and lawyers—enough to certainly keep things exciting, but yet something's missing. That's not just my take on things—it's a sentiment many fans have expressed as well, telling me: "It's boring!" "The casting is the real problem." "It's obvious Bindi's going to win," etc. So what was different this season? We've lamented the castings at the start of past seasons, but by the end we were full-on obsessed. So why is this season perhaps not as engaging as others?

For starters, ABC decided to try something different with the cast announcement this year. Instead of announcing everyone at once on Good Morning America (like they have in the past), they chose to roll out announcements daily on different outlets. The problem was, they didn't let the press know where those announcements were coming from or when they'd be coming. It became a scavenger hunt and perhaps watered down the thrill of the usual full-cast reveal day. While you have to applaud the network for trying something different, it ultimately didn't seem to pay off.

Criticism aside, you try casting this show. It's a beast. And most of the people who are on the producers' wish list aren't available for the show or are afraid to do it. Props to Talent Co-EP, Deena Katz, who works tirelessly to cast DWTS. If you looked at the final list this season, it should have been a slam dunk. There was the controversial Paula Deen, the live-wire in Gary Busey, the '90s dreamboat Nick Carter, and an American hero, Alek Skarlatos. By all accounts, the formula was there. The problem is, casting this show is much like creating on-screen chemistry. You can get the two hottest actors in the room, but if there's no chemistry between them, forget it. It was pure luck that Meryl and Maks had the chemistry they did, and same with Robert and Kym. This year you had the one-episode pairing of Emma Slater and Alek Skarlatos, but other than that, the romantic connection that fans flip for took the season off. As for the platonic relationships, several couples weren't as close as they might have had you believe, while others were, well, kind of boring.

It was no coincidence why switch-up week was so captivating this season—because for once, the pairings were spot-on. Every season the pairings are like clockwork (Derek Hough with the young, talented one, Tony Dovolani with the dramatic one, Keo Motsepe with the early eliminations). Aside from Emma Slater (who usually gets older contestants), there was nothing unpredictable. After 20 seasons, it was time to really switch it up. Putting Mark Ballas with Paula Deen was genius. And why weren't the only single contestants (Emma Slater and Alek Skarlatos) not put together? While I'm thrilled Lindsay Arnold was back in the fold (and by all accounts, producers would be smart to bring her back next season), she should have been paired with Hayes Grier, while Emma (who I'm hearing might already be off the market) would have been more fun to watch with Alek.

This season, we had mini story lines each week (Kim's forced to withdraw! Allison's pregnant! Will Alexa return? Bindi can't get paid her salary! Why Tamar Dropped Out!), but nothing with any long-term story arc. As a result, viewers couldn't get quite as invested. Last season, we got to watch Rumer Willis' confidence grow each week with her celebrity family cheering squad. Then there was The Bachelor's Chris Soules journey from two-left feet farmer boy to (somewhat) graceful leading man, and he had a huge built-in fan base. And, of course, you had Kym's sizzling romance with Robert. Whether or not you like the showmances that DWTS creates, there's no denying it makes for more to talk about. This season, it seems the most common headline was "Bindi Irwin: I'm Dancing for My Father." Steve Irwin was an internationally beloved public figure, but by focusing on that headline all the time, it became rather monotonous.

And then there was the absence of judge Len Goodman. Unfortunately, ABC was between a rock and a hard place with this one. Although the show needsCarrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and yes, even the newer Julianne Hough, no one will argue that the loss of Goodman (who had every right to not want to make a 12-hour weekly cross-continental trip each week at the age of 71) was felt on the judges' panel. There's always a chance he could return in the spring, and I'd like to think ABC and BBC Worldwide are doing everything in their power to make that happen. His grumpy charm, harsh scores, and positive feedback (when deserved) was always a reason to watch the scores and not take a snack break.

Even with all of that said, DWTS still provided hours of entertainment this season and featured spectacular performances. I mean, how can one forget famous movie dances week? Or the trio dances, which were better than ever this year. All the more reason to end things on a high note tonight and tomorrow with the finale and look forward to being back in the ballroom for season 22 in the spring.

Tonight: The remaining four contestants will perform their freestyle. From what I'm hearing, you can expect someone special to return for one of the dances. One contestant is scheduled to be eliminated at the end of the show, and the three remaining celebs and their partners will vie for the Mirrorball on Tuesday night. We'll be there to bring it all to you, live!